BA (Hons) Criminology

BA (Hons) Criminology

About the course

This unique course explores issues concerning the definition, nature and incidence of crime, and looks to use academic theory to find explanations for criminal behaviour. You’ll be given the opportunity to engage in debates on the nature of justice, examine a range of perspectives on areas like policing, investigation, prosecution and punishment, and consider the effectiveness, fairness and consequences of various institutional approaches to crime.

Criminological study at Solent starts with our programme of lectures and guest speakers. Past students have benefitted from talks delivered by criminal justice professionals and psychology practitioners, giving detailed insight into the industry and the careers it offers.

Previous years have seen students embark on a range of national and international study trips. These trips enabled students to visit local criminal justice facilities including the Old Bailey and the Houses of Parliament, as well as international sites of interest like the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security, USA.

This programme also encourages students to develop a range of transferable interpersonal and verbal communication skills through presentations, role-plays, debates, interviews and group work. These competencies are valued in a wide range of industries.

Solent University’s criminology degree can help you to better understand the experience of crime victims, media representations of social problems and the effect of modern communications technology on the processes of law. This knowledge will position you well to pursue either further study or graduate employment.

If you apply for this course with a placement year, you have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry between your second and third years.

Placement year

You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course.

Study abroad

If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years.

Foundation year available

As part of your studies you will have the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement.

Past students have benefitted from various study trips, including an international excursion to Washington DC, USA.

What does this course lead to?

Whether you are working in the public or private sector, a career in criminal justice offers the chance to engage with some of the most challenging and fulfilling aspects of life in the twenty-first century.

You can make a real difference to someone’s quality of living, enhance community experience, be at the very cutting edge of technology and contribute to global developments.

Working as a cyber-security consultant, or with those suffering from addiction, helping the disadvantaged, or those deemed ‘dangerous’ or undesirable, you can have a perceptible impact on our society.

Who is this course for?

This course is well suited to students who are keen to study criminality, criminal justice, social issues and policing.

Graduates are well prepared for positions in the criminal justice sector, social care, mental health and community safety.

Facts and figures

UCAS codes

Full Time

4 Years Law & Criminology Foundation Year DDL2

3 Years Standard Entry M930

Placement (480 credit course)

4 Years Standard Entry L312

5 Years Law & Criminology Foundation Year L319

Fees and costs

Tuition fees

The 2019/20 fees are not yet available. For guidance, the 2018/19 fees were:UK, EU and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per yearInternational full-time fees: £12,500 per year UK, EU and Channel Island placement year fee: £1,385International placement year fee: £1,700

Other costs

While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.

The 2019/20 other costs are not yet available. For guidance the 2018/19 costs were:

Optional costs:

The course offers optional trips to all students to the USA and Strasbourg.

USA trip is around £1,400 - £1,500

Strasbourg trip is around £500

These will also be occasional trips to courts, police training etc. where students must pay for own transport and subsistence.

International trips include our annual USA and Brussels Trips. Further trips are being considered to Amsterdam and the Hague. These trips are typically three days in duration except the USA trip that has been 6-7 days. Costs are based on current air fares and hotel prices.

Bursaries and scholarships

Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.

Graduation costs

Graduation is the ceremony to celebrate the achievements of your studies. For graduates in 2018, there is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost.

Key entry requirements

112 UCAS tariff points from A-levels or equivalent

A minimum of two A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D* or equivalent.

English language requirements

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:

IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component

TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 19 in each individual component

or equivalent.

Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.

The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.

Note to all international students requiring a visa:

All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.

Key facts and indicators

Assessment

Various methods are used to assess students including essays, portfolios, examinations, and group and individual projects and presentations.

Transferable skills

Students develop a range of transferable skills including research methods, critical analysis and interpretation of information, communication, teamwork, leadership, and intellectual curiosity and engagement.

Practical vs theory

The course is delivered through lectures, seminars, computer lab sessions, individual study, group exercises and practical exercises such as mock sentencing scenarios, business impact reports and crime scene management.

The team

The course team themselves have had extensive experience of the criminal justice system and its related disciplines, providing students with personal insights gained through first-hand experience. The ties they have with the professional world have also helped past students obtain work experience including volunteer placements, temporary paid work, work shadowing weeks and internships.

Study abroad

As part of the Erasmus programme, you'll have the opportunity to spend between three months and a year of your course studying abroad at one of our EU partner universities.
For more information, see www.solent.ac.uk/exchange
If you're a non-UK student studying at an EU university, the Erasmus programme gives you the chance to...

Study abroad

As part of the Erasmus programme, you'll have the opportunity to spend between three months and a year of your course studying abroad at one of our EU partner universities.

If you're a non-UK student studying at an EU university, the Erasmus programme gives you the chance to come to the UK and study criminology units at Solent for between three months and a full academic year.

Student support and services

Student welfare - Solent University is committed to giving you the best possible educational experience during your time with us. As such we have a number of support services and policies set up covering funding, careers and employability, chaplaincy, counselling, international advice, student affairs, key academic skills, disability support and general...

Student support and services

Student welfare - Solent University is committed to giving you the best possible educational experience during your time with us. As such we have a number of support services and policies set up covering funding, careers and employability, chaplaincy, counselling, international advice, student affairs, key academic skills, disability support and general student advice. Find out more about our approach to student welfare.

University facilities - You will have access to a modern, comfortable and efficient study environment, including the Mountbatten library and learning resource centres. Solent offers a wide variety of sports halls, gyms and sports equipment, plus superb IT, media, and cutting-edge specialist facilities. Find out more about our first-class facilities here.

Living in Southampton - Southampton is a modern, vibrant student city brimming with arts and culture, top high street brands, green spaces and a buzzing nightlife. Studying at Solent means that you’ll be at the very heart of it. Find out more about being a student in Southampton.

Solent Students’ Union - Run by students for students, Solent Students’ Union is on hand to offer independent advice and support while you’re at university. Visit the Students’ Union website for more information.

Study location

East Park Terrace

Got a question about this course?

How to apply

Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.

Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.

Your application should reach UCAS by 15 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.

The university cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

We provide a stimulating learning environment and access to state-of-the-art resources to help you make the most of your time with us. Flexible spaces, Wi-Fi facilities and learning zones all contribute to our lively and contemporary study environment at Solent.

The course’s curriculum has been designed in collaboration with Solent University’s industry partners. This helps to ensure that the course content meets the needs of employers.

Your future

Suitable roles for graduates include:

Police

Youth offending teams

Probation

Customs and excise

Crime analyst

Crime scene investigator

Fraud investigation.

Industry links

Your course team has extensive criminal justice experience and ties to the professional world, giving you many opportunities to obtain work experience in criminal justice and related areas, including voluntary or temporary paid work, work shadowing and internships.

This external support has allowed the teaching team to design (and sometimes deliver) the course curriculum in collaboration with industry experts and criminal justice practitioners. Partner organisations include the Association of Chief Police Officers, Southampton City Council, Sustainable Criminal Justice Solutions, and several criminal justice-related charities.

You’ll also have access to a programme of regular guest lectures from a wide range of criminal justice professionals, giving detailed insight into the criminal justice system and careers in the field – this includes the police, courts, prisons, probation service, victims, youth justice services and cyber security.

Placements

Previous internships and work placements have included the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office, the prison service and private companies such as Criminal Justice Solutions, as well as positions on criminal justice groups such as youth offender panels.

There are also work-shadowing and volunteering opportunities in a range of criminal justice settings, including the Special Constabulary, drugs and alcohol, youth and victim support services.

Graduate stories

Francesca's story

Francesca Hemsley - Local Fielding Police Officer

Units within criminology have specifically helped me gain a job after graduation. I was one of those students who never thought that unit work would directly help me after university, but I got proven wrong.

One specific unit that has helped me the most was Police, Law and Community. PLC has helped me gain a job within the Thames Valley Police. During the unit in final year you learn the practical side of policing, the legal side of policing (this includes powers to search, arrest and entry), crime reduction and prevention.

Another important area that has helped throughout PLC was the assessment that is 'competency based applications and interview'. This unit is the most important to attend as it is used throughout the criminal justice sector's interview process after university, not just the police. You may already be good at interviews but after this assessment you will be confident in attending any interview.

The area that was the most significant to me was crime reduction and prevention. This is one of the final presentations you will have to devise during your last weeks of university. It is a hands on presentation and quite frankly, the more work you do the better grade you will get! You will be using the police.uk website to analyse different areas around Southampton that are key crime spots and compose a project on the analysis of information that you have found. Its a chance to stand out and use all of the areas of criminology that you have studied over the past three years, from the less exciting theories to the more exciting ideas that you have that could reduce crime!

This unit has significantly helped me gain a job after university. I kept all my work from the PLC unit and presented it to Thames Valley Police in my interview to be a Policing Field Officer (someone who helps reduce crime and prioritise police attention to different areas). The information that I had gained from this unit gave me the job over people who have been working within the Thames Valley Policing community for 15 years! I was a new graduate with hardly any experience in the criminal justice sector but because I had this unit under my belt, they valued this more than any other experience.